Coin accumulator



March 9, 1965 Filed March 13, 1963 .135 58 J36 e06 204 54 E0 R. A. QUIGLEY COIN ACCUMULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

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COIN ACCUMULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1965 J5 3 j fi J United States Patent Ofi 3,172,521 Patented Mar. 9, 1965 3,172,521 COIN ACCUMULATOR Robert A. Quigley, North Tonawanda, N.Y., assignor to The Wurlitzer Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 13, 1963, Scr. No. 264,797 14 Claims. (Cl. 194-45) This invention relates to a coin counting or accumulator mechanism having particular use in vending machines.

In the dispensing of many articles, it is necessary that the purchaser insert more than one coin into a vending machine. It is necessary that some means be provided for counting or totalizing the value of the coins inserted. Most commonly, three values of coins will be counted. For example, in the vending of cigarettes, it may cost on the order of 30 or 35 a package. For this purpose, a combination of quarters, nickels, or dimes may be inserted to effect the proper total. Various mechanisms have heretofore been developed for this purpose, but they have been generally complicated, or expensive, or prone to get out of order.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved coin counter or accumulator for use in coin operated machines, particularly vending machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for counting or accumulating the value of coins which is simple and rugged in construction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin counter or accumulator for use, for example in vending machines, which utilizes a minimum number of parts, and wherein the parts are partially duplicated to effect a savings in manufacture and storage.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view with a portion thereof broken away showing a coin counter or accumulator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the coin slots of the accumulator as taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the accumulator as taken substantially along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a release pawl utilized in the accumulator;

FIG. 5 is a front view with certain of the operating parts removed, more clearly to show the underlying parts, the view being taken substantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale as taken substantially along the line 77 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view as taken substantially along the line 88 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 5.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, there will be seen a sheet metal base indicated generally by the numeral 10 and including a back wall 12, a left side flange 14, and a right side flange 16. A portion of the back wall 12 is deflected forward at 18 adjacent the upper left corner. This provides protection for underlying parts hereinafter to be set forth, and further may provide clearance for portions of a machine with which the coin accumulator may be associated.

A coin slide unit 20 is secured to the back wail 12 and against the side flange 16 by means of a pair of vertically spaced screws 22 and 24. A cash box 26, shown schematically in FIG. 1, is positioned beneath the coin slide unit 20 to receive coins therefrom.

The coin slide unit comprises a back plate 28 abutting the back wall 12. This back plate has a trough forming a coin slot 30 in the back surface thereof. As may be seen in dashed lines in FIG. 5, the coin slot proceeds diagonally downward to the left as indicated at 32, and then straight down as indicated at 34. The top of the coin slot 30 is flared outwardly at 36 for receipt of coins. In the illustrative embodiment, the slot 32 is of an appropriate size to receive a quarter. Near the bottom of the back plate 28, there is provided a diagonal aperture 38 communicating with the coin slot 30. This will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

An intermediate face 40 lies in front of the back plate 28, and flush thereagainst. The left edge of the intermediate plate runs straight down at 42, roughly half way from one side to the other of the back plate, and then diagonally off to the left at 44 to the same width as the back plate 28, but short of the recess or aperture 38.

On its back face, the intermediate plate 40 has a vertical groove forming a coin slot 46 running straight down. The back side of this coin slot is provided by the front face of the back plate 28, as will be apparent. This coin slot is of a width from left to right to accept a particular denomination of coin, for example, a dime. A diagonal slot 48 extends through the intermediate and back plates, and also through a front plate hereinafter to be described. This slot intercepts the coin slot 46. As will be apparent in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dime coin slot 46 has a flared upper end at St to facilitate entrance of a coin.

The front face of the intermediate plate 40 is provided with a channel or recess forming a coin slot 52 of a different size, for example, of a proper size to accommodate a nickel. The front of the coin slot 52 is closed off by a front plate 54, likewise held by the screws 22 and 24. The coin slot 52, as readily seen in FIG. 1, progresses vertically down, and then diagonally to the left as at 55, so as not to intersect the groove or recess 48. An elongated recess 56 passes through the three plates 54, 40, and 28, intersecting the two coin slots 46 and 52. This recess 56 is arranged diagonally running from left to right in a downwardly direction, whereas the recesses 38 and 48 run up in a diagonal direction from left to right. These recesses all will be discussed in greater particularity hereinafter. Although the recess 56 has been shown as running through all three plates of the coin slide unit 20, it is really only necessary that it extend through the front plate 54 to intersect the coin slot 52. It is to be observed that this coin slot is also flared out at the top at 58 to facilitate insertion of a coin.

A pivot stud 60 (FIGS. 1 and S7) extends forwardly at right angles from the back wall 12 to which it is mounted, as by being staked thereto at 62 (FIG. 7). A collar 64 encircles the base of the stud, and is trapped between the wall 12 and a shoulder 66, the forward portion of the stud being of greater diameter than the portion encircled by the collar 64. A grooved hub 68 encircles the larger portion of the stud 69, being pivotable thereon, and has an axially extending neck 70 on which there is secured a back ratchet wheel 72 (FIGS. 5 and 6), as by swaging a portion of the neck out at 73. The major portion of the hub 68 immediately abuts the back face of the back ratchet wheel 72, and it will be observed that the periphery thereof is grooved at 74.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, the back ratchet wheel 72 is provided over an extent of somewhat greater than fifty percent of its periphery with a plurality of closely spaced ratchet teeth 76. The spacing of these ratchet teeth corresponds to one unit of monetary value, for example, five cents. This is over the upper portion of the wheel as illustrated in FIG. 5, and the ratchet teeth 76 on the back wheel have no direct significance, as will be discussed hereinafter.

Through the remainder of the periphery of the back ratchet wheel 72, there are ratchet teeth 78 spaced at discrete intervals, equal in arcuate extent to the spacing of five of the teeth 76, and thereby corresponding to 25. Of course, it will be understood that other spacings could be adapted in accordance with other currencies.

A segment of sheet material 82, conveniently insulating board, is riveted to the back face of the back ratchet wheel 72 by means of a pair of rivets 84 passing through suitable holes in the back ratchet wheel and through corresponding holes in the insulating board 82. Adjacent the periphery of the insulating board 82, indicia 86 corresponding to money values are provided. In the illustrative example, the indicia runs from to 75.

An electric base plate 88, also comprising a segment of insulating board, but of lesser radial extent than the back board 82 is secured to the front face of the back ratchet wheel 72 by the rivets 84 previously mentioned. This electric base plate 88 is provided with an arcuate strip of conductive material 90, preferably applied by a printed circuit technique, terminating at its left end in a radially extending strip 92 extending to the periphery of the base 88, at which point a flexible lead wire 94 is soldered to make an electrical connection.

The electric base plate further is provided with a plurality of arcuately spaced, radially disposed conductive segments 96, also preferably applied by a printed circuit technique. These strips 96 are spaced in accordance with the indicia 86, and are electrically insulated from one another. Immediately in the counter-clockwise direction from each of said strips, there is a notch 98 extending radially into the base 88 from the periphery thereof. Contactor clips 100 are received in one or more of these notches, in embracing relation with the board and gripping the adjacent contact strips 96. An extending tail on each clip 100 comprises a terminal to which a flexible lead wire 102 is connected. The clips are applied in accordance with the position or positions in which it is desired that a circuit should be completed.

As will be seen in FIG. 9, each clip 100 comprises a channel-shaped body having an intermediate web 104 received in a slot 98, with side flanges 106 embracing the plate 88 and the front one thereof making contact with the adjacent conductive strip 96.

Immediately forwardly of the neck 70 of the hub 68 a C-washer 108 is snapped into a restricted groove or neck 110 in the stud 60. A flat washer 112 lies in front of this, and the vertical arm 114 of a resetting member is received against the flat washer. The resetting member will be discussed shortly in greater detail. Another plain washer 116 lies in front of the arm 114, and an additional C-washer 118 is snapped into a restriction or neck 120 in the stud immediately in front thereof.

The resetting member is seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 57 and hereinafter is identified by the numeral 122. The resetting member 122 comprises the aforesaid vertical arm 114 having a vertical slot 124 near the bottom thereof, and a vertical slot 126 near the top thereof. The slot 126 is received over the stud 60 between the washers 112 and 116, as heretofore set forth somewhat more generally. A stud 128 is staked at 130 to the back plate 12 in vertical alignment with the stud 60, and at a lower elevation. The stud 128 has a shoulder at 132 with a smaller diameter end piece 134 extending therefrom and received in the slot 124. The shoulder 132 is spaced from the back plate 12 a sufiicient distance to hold the arm 122 parallel to the back plate in cooperation with the previously mentioned washers 112 and 116, and associated parts. A plain washer 136 encircles the smaller diameter projecting stud portion 134, and is held against the front face of the arm 114 by a C- washer 138 snapped into a suitable groove (not shown) in the stud projecting end 134.

The resetting member 122 has a right angularly disposed horizontal arm 140 extending to the left from the bottom of the vertical arm 114 integral therewith and in coplanar relation thereto. The end of the arm 140 extends through a vertically elongated slot (not shown) in the side flange 14, and is provided with an aperture 142 for connection to a portion of a vending machine which may be of conventional construction. It is only necessary that some part of the vending machine have a movement upon vending such that the resetting member 122 can be pulled down a limited distance. Since this is found in practically all vending machines, it is not shown here. A spring aperture 144 is provided at the top of the arm 140 adjacent the inner face of the flange 14, and a coil spring 146 is stretched between this aperture and a spring anchor post 148 extending forwardly from the back wall 12 in which it is staked. The post 148 preferably is provided with a peripheral groove in which the end of the spring 146 is disposed to insure holding of the spring in proper position on the post, preferably in coplanar relation with the resetting member 122. This spring normally holds the resetting member 122 in raised position as shown in FIG. 5, and as shown in full lines in FIG. 1.

The uuper end of the arm 114 of the resetting member 122 is provided with a transverse head 150 incorporating the upper portion of the slot 126. The head has tapered upper surfaces 152 and 153, and an underlying left shoulder 157 and an underlying right shoulder 159. These shoulders are engageable with studs on the back ratchet wheel 72 and the front ratchet wheel hereinafter to be described for returning the ratchet wheels to initial position.

The back ratchet wheel 72 is provided at a location spaced approximately one-half way from the center to the circumference thereof with a forwardly projecting stud 161 which conveniently is staked to the back ratchet wheel. This stud has a large diameter portion 163 which is engageable by the left shoulder 157 when the resetting member 122 is pulled down, whereby to force the back ratchet wheel 72 to its extreme counterclockwise position, as limited by abutment of the larger stud portion 163 against the left side of the vertical arm 114, as clearly seen in FIG. 5. The stud 161 further includes a smaller diameter forwardly extending portion 165, and this will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

The coin counter is further provided with a front ratchet wheel 720 shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7. This ratchet wheel is substantially identical with the back ratchet wheel 72, and hence similar numerals are used with the addition of the suffix a. The front ratchet wheel 72a is arranged as shown in FIG. 1 with the close spaced ratchet teeth 76a running from the bottom position up to the left and slightly beyond the top Of the center. A pawl is provided to release the wheel for counterclockwise movement one tooth at a time, as hereinafter will be described. The teeth 78a spaced apart by a greater increment are of no direct significance relative to the front ratchet wheel 72a. However, it will be appreciated that the ratchet wheels are simply the reverse of one another, and hence the same blank is used for either the front ratchet wheel or the back ratchet wheel, and this is why the close spaced teeth and the wide spaced teeth are provided on both.

The front ratchet wheel includes a hub 68a with a preipheral groove 74a having a neck 70a swaged outwardly at 73a for permanent attachment to the front ratchet wheel 72a. As indicated, the front ratchet wheel 72a is largely the reverse of the back ratchet wheel, and hence the end of the neck 70a abuts the lock washer 118. The grooved hub 74a lies forwardly of the front ratchet wheel 72a, and a C-shaped washer 150 is snapped.

into a groove in the stud to hold the hub, and hence the front ratchet wheel in place.

The front ratchet wheel 72a is provided on the back face thereof and extending beyond the periphery of the wheel with a bridging type contact identified generally by the numeral 154. This contact is intended to effect connection between the conductive strip 90 and any one of the radial conducting strips 96 on the base plate 88.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the bridging type contact comprises a base strip 156 arranged generally chordally of the front ratchet wheel and secured thereto by rivets 158. The rivets and the strip 156 are insulated from the front ratchet wheel by means of suitable plastic or other insulating washers 160 and sleeves 162. As will be understood, the sleeves could be integral with one of the adjacent washers, as is sometimes done in accordance with conventional practice.

The bridging type contact 154 further includes a central tongue 164 having a transverse offset 166 at an intermediate position to space the end of it rearwardly of the front ratchet wheel and in proximity to the base plate 88. A contact element 168 of suitable contact metal, such as silver, is secured to this tongue and rides on the arcuate conductive strip 90 along the base plate 88.

The bridging type contact 154 further includes a pair of side legs 170 straddling the tongue, and converging to a common tip 172. The legs are provided with a transverse offset the same as the tongue; hence the tip 172 is disposed in proximity to the base plate 88, and a silver or other suitable contact element 174 rides against the base plate, selectively making contact with the strips 96.

It will be understood that the entire bridging type contact 154 is constructed of resilient material, phosphor bronze being a satisfactory example. Hence, the contact elements 168 and 174 are resiliently pressed against the arcuate contact 90, and either the base plate 88 or one of the radially disposed contact strips 96. Since the bridging type contact is an integral structure, it will be appreciated that electrical contact is effected between the strip 90 and whichever of the strips 96 is engaged by the contact element 174.

A stud 176 is staked in an aperture in the front ratchet wheel 72a, and has a rearwardly extending portion 178 projecting past the vertical arm 114 of the resetting member 122, whereby this vertical arm forms a limit stop in a clockwise direction for the front ratchet wheel. This stud rearward projection 178 is also engageable by the shoulder 158 upon lowering of the resetting member to move the front ratchet wheel in a clockwise direction to its limit position.

The stud 176 has a reduced diameter portion 180 extending forwardly. A coil spring 182 is affixed at one end to the forwardly projecting stud portion 180. This spring extends over the hub 68a, being received in the arcuate groove thereof, and has the opposite end received on the forward extension 165 of the stud 161 extending from the back ratchet wheel, it being understood that this portion of the stud extends through an arcuate slot 184 in the front ratchet wheel. The intenitting of this arcuate slot and of the stud projection 165 determines the limits of movement of the two ratchet wheels relative to one another. The wheels are held in a rest position as shown in FIG. 1, by pawls hereinafter to be described, and are resiliently urged to relative rotation by the spring 182. The tendency is for the front ratchet wheel to turn in a counter-clockwise direction, and the rear ratchet wheel to turn in a clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 182.

A front pawl 186 for controlling the movement of the ratchet wheel 72a is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6. The pawl comprises a rocker plate 188 staked on a hollow stud 190 having a rearwardly projecting portion 192, and a forwardly projecting portion 194 of reduced diameter. This sleeve is mounted at the front of a stud 196 staked to the back plate 12 and projecting forwardly therefrom in the vicinity of the peripheries of the two ratchet wheels.

The pawl 186 has a holding finger 197 engageable with the teeth 76a. This finger projects at right angles from the body 188 toward the back plate 12 on the right side of the body. A spring 198 is stretched between an aperture 200 in the left corner of the body and the stud 148 to bias the pawl in a counter-clockwise direction.

At the upper left corner of the body 188 there is a rearwardly projecting catch finger 202 which normally clears the teeth 76a. Whenever the pawl is rocked in a clockwise direction, the finger 202 releases the tooth which it has been holding, and the finger 202 is moved into interfering relation with one of the teeth 76a. Subsequent pivoting or rocking in a counter-clockwise direc tion moves the finger 202 from catching position, and returns the finger 196 into position for engagement by the next succeeding tooth 76a.

Such rocking movement is efiected by a pair of angularly disposed coin detector wires 204 and 206. The two wires conveniently comprise a single length of piano wire secured by a headed stud 208 staked to the pawl body 188, and about which the wire is looped. The wire moves away from the stud 208 as two parallel legs 210, and the legs are offset through a slot 212 in the body, and continue in diverging relation at 214 and 216 respectively, to respective bends where they further diverge at 218 and 220.

The outer end of the wire 218 is deflected as a finger 222 toward the back wall 12, and extends into the slot 56, intersecting both the nickel slot 52 and the dime slot 46. The outer end of the wire 220 is deflected as a finger 224 toward the back wall 12 into the slot 48, and intersects the dime slot.

Accordingly, a dime will engage the finger 222 to rock the pawl against its spring in a clockwise direction. The dime will immediately pass the finger, and the spring 198 will return the pawl, with the ratchet wheel 72a advancing a space of one tooth in a counter-clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 182. Subsequently, the dime will encounter the finger 224, and the pawl 186 will thus be rocked one more step to advance the front ratchet wheel a second tooth space. Hence, the dime will effect an escapement of two teeth.

On the other hand, a nickel will engage the finger 222 and then will be diverted in the diagonal portion of the slot 52 to bypass the finger 224. Thus, a nickel will advance the front ratchet wheel 720 only one tooth space.

There is a generally similar back pawl 226 seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, having a body 228 staked to a sleeve 230. There is a rearwardly extending, relatively small diameter portion of the sleeve 232 spaced from the back wall 12 by a sleeve 234 encircling the stud 196. A larger diameter portion 236 of the sleeve 230 projects forwardly and encounters the rearwardly projecting sleeve portion 192 of the front pawl. The sleeves and associated pawls are held on the stud 196 by a C-shaped Washer 238 snapped into a groove near the outer end of the stud.

The back pawl 226 has a forwardly extending holding finger 240 confronting the finger 196, and a forwardly extending catch finger 242 confronting the catch finger 202. A spring 244 is stretched between the stud 148 and an aperture 246 in the lower left corner of the body 228.

A single coin operated wine 248 extends downwardly to the right from the back pawl 226. It again conveniently comprises a piece of relatively stiff wire, such as piano wire, looped about a stud 250 staked to the body 228 and trapped beneath the head of such stud. Two legs 252 proceed from the stud to a transverse slot 254 in the body. The upper leg is terminated substantially at the adjacent edge of the body, while the lower wire is deflected downward to form the member 248, which has a finger 256 at the outer end thereof projecting toward the back wall 12 and into the slot 38. The finger 256 intersects the quarter slot 32.

When a quarter is dropped down the slot 32, it rocks the holding pawl 226 in a clockwise direction upon encountering the finger 256, and the back ratchet wheel moves in a clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 182. As will be apparent, the teeth 78 are spaced five times as far apart as are the teeth 76, and a quarter produces a movement of the back ratchet wheel which is five times as great as the movement of the front ratchet wheel produced by a nickel. Both ratchet wheels normally start out in the position shown in FIG. 1. Nickels and dimes cause the front ratchet wheel 72a to advance in a counter-clockwise direction in increments of one or two monetary units. This produces a relative movement of the bridging contact 154 across the contact strips 96.

Similarly, a quarter dropped into the coin unit will cause the back ratchet wheel 72 to advance five increments in a clockwise direction, again producing a relative movement between the bridging contact 154 and the contact strips 96. Thus, the ratchet wheels, and consequently the bridging contact and the base plate 88 move relative to one another accumulating the amount of money deposited, up to a possible total of 75. However, contact is made by means of one of the clips 100 to complete an external circuit, generally before the full 75 is reached. This causes the vending machine with which the coin accumulator is associated to dispense an article, and this results in pulling down of the resetting member from the solid line position of FIG. 1 to the broken line position of FIG. 1.

During such movement, the shoulder 157 engages the stud 161, and the shoulder 150 engages the stud 176. Accordingly, both of the ratchet wheels are returned against the force of the spring 182 to their limit position as shown in full lines in FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that the specific example of the invention as herein shown and described is for illustrative purposes only. Various changes will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art, and will be understood as forming a part of the present invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, first electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, said first electric contact means having a rest position, second electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and also movable relative to said first electric contact means, said second electric contact means having an electric contact selectively engageable with said spaced contacts and movable from one to another thereof selectively to effect completion of an electric circuit, said second contact means having a rest position, said first and second contact means being adjacent to and movable relative to one another relatively to advance said second contact means contact from one to another of said spaced contacts, means operatively connected to said first contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to efiect movement of said first contact means in a predetermined direction a degree according to the coin value, means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means in the opposite direction a degree according to the value of the ditferent coin, and means for resetting both of said contact means to rest position.

2. A coin accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coin chute means is adapted for receipt of a third coin having a monetary value which is a multiple of one of the first two coins, and means operatively connected to one of said two contact means and positioned adjacent the coin chute for engagement by a third coin for effecting movement of that contact means a multiple of the degree which it is moved by the coin of which the third is a multiple.

3. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two difierent values, first electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values and further having a common contact disposed adjacent said spaced contacts, said first electric contact means having a rest position, second electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and also movable relative to said first electric contact means, said second electric contact means having a bridging electric contact engageable with said common contact and selectively engageable with said spaced contacts and movable from one to another thereof selectively to effect completion of an electric circuit, said second contact means having a rest position, said first and second contact means being adjacent to and movable relative to one another relatively to advance said bridging contact along said common contact and from one to another of said spaced contacts, means operatively connected to said first contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to effect movement of said first contact means in a predetermined direction a degree according to the coin value, means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means in the opposite director a degree according to the value of the different coins, and means for resetting both of said contact means to rest position.

4. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, first electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, first escapernent means for effecting stepwise movement of said first contact means in a predetermined direction in accordance with the spacing of he contacts thereon, second electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and also movable relative to said first electric contact means, said second electric contact means having an electric contact selectively engageable with said spaced contacts and moveable from one to another thereof to effect completion of an electric circuit, second escapernent means coacting with said second contact means to effect movement thereof in the opposite direction in increments different than the increments of movement of the first contact means, said first and second contact means being adjacent to and movable relative to one another to advance said second contact means contact from one to another of said spaced contacts, means operatively connected to said first escapernent means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to efiect stepwise movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, and means operatively connected to said second escapernent means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means a degree according to the value of the different coin.

5. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, a first ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base, first electric contact means carried by said ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base coaxially with said first ratchet wheel, second electric contact means mounted on said second ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and to said first electric contact means and having an electric contact selectively engageable with said spaced contacts to eflect completion of an electric circuit, said first and second ratchet wheels being rotatable in opposite directions relative to said base and being relatively movable in opposite directions and said first and second contact means thereby being relatively movable in opposite directions, first escapement means for effecting movement of said first ratchet wheel in one direction re lative to said base, means operatively connected to said escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to effect movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, second escapement means coacting with said second ratchet wheel to effect movement thereof in the opposite direction relative to said base, and means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means according to the value of the second coin.

6. A coin accumulator as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first ratchet wheel has a plurality of relatively close spaced ratchet teeth cooperable with the first escapement means, and wherein the second ratchet wheel has a plurality of teeth spaced relatively farther apart and a multiple of the angular spacing of the teeth of the first ratchet Wheel and cooperable with the second escapement means, the second coin being a multiple of the monetary value of the first coin in the same ratio as the relative spacing of the ratchet teeth.

7. A coin accumulator as set forth in claim 5 wherein said coin chute means is adapted to receive a third coin having a value which is a multiple of one of the first coins, further means operatively connected to one of said escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin of said third value in said coin chute means, said coin of said third value also engaging the first means operatively connected to the same escapemcnt means, whereby said coin of third value effects two increments of movement of the corresponding ratchet wheel and contact means by operating said escapement means twice,

8. A coin accumulator as set forth in claim 6 wherein the two ratchet wheels are of similar outline and are mounted relatively reversely of one another.

9. A coin accumulator as for use with a vending machine comprising a base, coin handling means mounted on said base and having a plurality of separate paths for conveying coins of at least three different values, the coins of second and third value being multiples of the coin of first value, a first ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base and having a plurality of ratchet teeth of relatively close spacing, at second ratchet wheel coaxially mounted from said base relative to said first ratchet wheel and having a plurality of teeth thereon of greater spacing, the teeth of the second ratchet wheel being spaced angular multiples of the teeth of the first ratchet wheel in accordance with the multiple the second coin value is of the first, first electric contact means mounted on one of said ratchet wheels for movement therewith relative to said base and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to the angular spacing of the teeth of the first ratchet wheel, second electric contact means mounted on the other of said ratchet wheels for movement relative to said base and relative to the first contact means and having an electric contact selectively engageable with the spaced contacts to effect completion of an electric circuit, escapement means coacting with the first ratchet wheel, first release means operatively connected to said first escapement means and positioned for engagement by a coin of first value in said coin handling means to effect movement of said first ratchet wheel the angular distance of one tooth, second release means ope-ratively connected to said first escapement means and engageable by a coin of second value, the first means operatively connected to the first escapement means being also engageable by said coin of second value whereby a coin of second value effects two operations of said escapement means to produce movement of said first ratchet wheel equal to the spacing of two ratchet teeth thereon, second escapement means coacting with the second ratchet wheel and positioned adjacent said coin handling means for engagement by a third coin to effect an escapement operation whereby to advanice the second ratchet wheel a distance in accordance with the larger spacing of the teeth thereon.

10. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two difierent values, a first ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base, first electric contact means carried by said ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base coaxially with said first ratchet wheel, second electric con tact means mounted on said second ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having an electric contact selectively engageabie with said spaced contacts to effect completion of an electric circuit, said first and second ratchet wheels being relatively movable in opposite directions and said first and second contact means thereby being relatively movable, first escapement means for effecting movement of said first ratchet wheel in one direction, means operatively connected to said first escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to etlect movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, second escapement means coacting with said second ratchet wheel to effect movement thereof in the opposite direction, means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means according to the value of the second coin, each of said ratchet wheels having a rest position from which it is movable, each of said ratchet wheels having an axial projection thereon, and a reset member movable diametrically of said ratchet wheels and engageable with the projections on both of said ratchet wheels simultaneously to reset both of said ratchet wheels to rest position.

11. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, a first ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base, first electric contact means carried by said ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base coaxially with said first ratchet wheel, second electric contact means mounted on said second ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having an electric contact selectively engageable with said spaced contacts to effect completion of an electric circuit, said first and second ratchet wheels being relatively movable in opposite directions and said first and second contact means thereby being relatively movable, first escapement means for effecting movement of said first ratchet wheel in one direction, means operatively connected to said first escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to efi'ect movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, second escapement means coaicting with said second ratchet wheel to elfect movement thereof in the opposite direction, means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means according to the value of the second coin, and common spring means acting on both of said ratchet wheels to urge said ratchet wheels in relatively opposite directions.

12. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, a first ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base, first electric contact means carried by said ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, and further having a common contact disposed adjacent said spaced contacts, a second ratchet wheel rotatably mounted from said base coaxially with said first ratchet wheel, second electric contact means mounted on said second ratchet wheel for movement relative to said base and having an electric bridging contact engageable with said common contact and selectively engageable with said spaced contacts to effect completion of an electric circuit, said first and second ratchet wheels being relatively movable in opposite directions and said first and second contact means thereby being relatively movable, first escapement means for effecting movement of said first ratchet wheel in one direction, means operatively connected to said first escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to effect movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, second escapement means coacting with said second ratchet wheel to eifect movement thereof in the opposite direction, and means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means according to the value of the second coin.

13. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, first electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, said first electric contact means having a rest position, second electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having an electric contact selectively engageable with said spaced contacts to effect completion of an electric circuit, said second contact means having a rest position, said first and second contact means being movable relative to one another relatively to advance said second contact means contact from one to another of said spaced contacts, means operatively connected to said first contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to effect movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, means operatively connected to said second contact means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means a degree according to the value of the dilferent coin, and means for resetting both of said contact means to rest position comprising a common member simultaneously operating on both of said electric contact means.

14. A coin accumulator for use as with a vending machine comprising a base, coin chute means mounted on said base and having a plurality of slots for receipt of coins of at least two different values, first electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having spaced contacts thereon corresponding to various monetary values, first escapement means for effecting stepwise movement of said first contact means in accordance with the spacing of the contacts thereon, second electric contact means mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and having an electric contact selectively engageable with said spaced contacts to effect completion of an electric circuit, second escapement means coacting with said second contact means to effect movement thereof in increments different than the increments of movement of the first contact means, said first and second contact means being movable relative to one another to advance said second contact means contact from one to another of said spaced contacts, means operatively connected to said first escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a coin dropped in one of said slots to elfect stepwise movement of said first contact means a degree according to the coin value, means operatively connected to said second escapement means and positioned adjacent said coin chute means for engagement by a different coin dropped in another of said slots to advance said second contact means a degree according to the value of the different coin, each of said contact means having a rest position, and common spring means simultaneously acting on both of said contact means to urge said contact means in relatively opposite directions away from their rest positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,471 Johnston Nov. 17, 1953 2,972,400 Gabrielsen Feb. 21, 1961 2,996,163 Baker Aug. 15, 1961 

1. A COIN ACCUMULATOR FOR USE AS WITH A VENDING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE, COIN CHUTE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLOTS FOR RECEIPT OF COINS OF AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT VALUES, FIRST ELECTRIC CONTACT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO AND HAVING SPACED CONTACTS THEREON CORESPONDING TO VARIOUS MONETARY VALUES, SAID FIRST ELECTRIC CONTACT MEANS HAVING A REST POSITION, SECOND ELECTRIC CONTACT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO AND ALSO MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST ELECTRIC CONTACT MEANS, SAID SECOND ELECTRIC CONTACT MEANS HAVING AN ELECTRIC CONTACT SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SPACED CONTACTS AND MOVABLE FROM ONE TO ANOTHER THEREOF SELECTIVELY TO EFFECT COMPLETION OF AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, SAID SECOND CONTACT MEANS HAVING A REST POSITION, SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT MEANS BEING ADJACENT TO AND MOVABLE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER RELATIVELY TO ADVANCE SAID SECOND CONTACT MEANS CONTACT FROM ONE TO ANOTHER OF SAID SPACED CONTACTS, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST CONTACT MEANS AND POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID COIN CHUTE MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A COIN DROPPED 